After my success with Andy Card, I would be out every day for the next week to round off my 2025 combo related endeavors.
Day 1
I start with some private flights hoping Stallone is in one of them, but no luck. I then go to a commercial flight for actor Michael Crawford. He was the titular character in the original stage production of Phantom of the Opera and has been in several old movies and TV shows.
When he arrives, he stops but is not overly nice. Was a strict one and the photo though I managed to squeeze two. Overall, that was a success. Shortly after at the same airport Lauryn Hill was arriving (which I didn't know in advance, or I would have had items). I got her before but since I was here may as well get an update. She was very nice.
Later in the evening I had another flight for the legendary Andrea Bocelli. I got him in NYC but it was a terrible car shot. Wait at the spot and when I see him I run over, fearful the staff may stop me. But it was late enough in the night where no one cared. I asked for a photo and Andrea gets into his car. I thought I was done but his wife says to come closer. He was nice as can be and I get the photo op.
Day 2
With the success of the prior day came a disastrous day. Tried for Stallone and George Strait flights. Never confirmed a Stallone flight but figured out George Strait's flight. And he took 2 whole hours to come out. There were like 30 people and he did nothing. What's worse because it took him so long to come out, I had to miss a Heidi Klum flight. I already have two photo ops with her but wanted to get autographs.
Went to another spot to try for George Strait. They pulled his van right to the door and ignored going in and leaving. Went to one last spot and saw Peter Criss. He was cool and I got a photo op. But I have a perfect shot from a con. BUST of a day.
Day 3
This is the day that I dread as I wake up in the morning and stand all day at a spot. But this year things seemed uncertain, largely due to Trump taking control of things. That combined with the bust of the previous day I decided to bail on this and head to Steel City Con where things are certain. This marked the first time I ever decided to go to a con the very morning of.
Arrive and find decent parking. First get is Ken Kirzinger. I have Ken but someone I knew had multiple items so why not get a free update. Next is the main reason I came to this con, namely Shia LaBeouf. He wasn't very nice and most photos we took were invalid. He got annoyed cause I wanted retakes.
After the unpleasant experience with Shia I got a free photo op with Disney, Warner Bros, and Hanna-Barbera animator Willie Ito. The only other celebs I got were Lawrence Makoare (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit) and Joel David Moore (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story).
Left Steel City and came back to try the event I bailed on. Went to one spot and it was a bust. Then tried another spot only saw Gloria Gaynor enter. Stallone had garaged. In hindsight based on the stories I heard I made the right choice going to Steel City Con. While some people were gotten, I already had them and would see them the next day.
Day 4
After the uncertainty of the prior day, I was very weary going out this day. But I knew others were out, so I had to be there to be part of the action if there was any action to be had. Start at the hotel and I see a couple of Tennis players John Isner and Sam Querrey. I get photo ops. Then I see Frank Stallone walking around. I got him at Chiller years ago so this wasn't anything for me but I got a photo.
Go to the venue where there has apparently been action. I find out I missed Vince Gill. PUNCH. I met him before, but I had some CDs for him to sign. Garth Brooks comes in and doesn't sign but does photo ops. I had no need for another photo op so I didn't bother to fight for it. Then we almost miss one of the best names as everyone almost lets him walk by. We asked him and he was super nice and did multi combos with everyone. Turns out it is the composer for classic movies such as Rocky, Karate Kid, and others. I got the photo op and some blanks. Sadly, I left my Rocky poster (already signed by the director) in the car so I didn't get that done. I went and got my poster. I also have a Karate Kid poster signed by the director but that's at home.
I would then get photos with Ron Henry and Christal Rheams, session drummer Kenny Aronoff, singer Blessing Offor who is blind (marking my second blind photo op within a week), Kid Kentucky, actor Garrett Hedlund (update since I paid for him at a con a year prior), Chris Blue, Kelsey Grammer, and Jason Crabb. Going in I got the photo op with Kelsey Grammer which was a 15 year update as my last photo with him was from NYC in 2010. Wasn't able to get autographs. But he signed on the way out and I managed to get two 8x10s done.
Then we see someone walk from a distance no one can decipher who he is at first. Turns out it's magician Criss Angel! Get the photo op. Score! Then I get an update with Robin Zander from cheap trick and Marcus King, Montana Tucker, Frank Stallone (this time no hat).
Then I get a selfie with Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick which is an upgrade over what I have because he always intentionally looks away from the camera. Here he is mostly looking in. Got Robin Zander again. Also got them both on my Cheap Trick 8x10.
A big botch was for singer Deniece Williams. She came and someone said "Gloria" so I immediately got my Gloria Gaynor vinyl. Turns out it was Deniece Williams and that killed my chances to get a photo op (she barely even did 2 or 3). Got Richard Grenell and other political names. Some of the final names I got going in were actor Neal McDonough (blurry photo op but it's ok I got him at a con years ago) and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger who founded the company with the same name.
Exits were slim pickings I got Rick Nielsen looking in again and a combo with Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick (update photo op). I then bailed on exits since it was looking bad and went to the hotel where I just missed Peter Criss. PUNCH as I could have used an autograph. Then I saw Bill Conti pull up and this time I got him on my Rocky poster and got a photo op with him all dressed up.
Saw Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and their sons but couldn't get them. Saw Gloria Gaynor she didn't stop but she did send ins and I got my vinyl and 8x10s signed (it's ok I have photo ops with her). The evening would end with a photo op with Mike Farris and that would be my final photo op of 2025.
Now to showcase autographs obtained:
Cheap Trick and Kelsey Grammer
Day 5
The next day I sat out everything during the day but Michael Crawford had a flight out and it was in the evening. I thought since the timing was good and the airport was close to my house I figured I'd go for an autograph. I arrived and got him to sign an 8x10. This would be my final autograph of 2025.
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